Oct 11 - Luke 8:41-42

Just then there came a man named Jairus,

a leader of the synagogue.

He fell at Jesus' feet and

begged him to come to his house, 

for he had an only daughter,

about twelve years old, who was dying.

Luke 8:41-42

I've been a pastor for about twenty years. The worst human pain is when one of our own children is hurting. Most of us rather take their pain upon ourselves than watch our children suffer. That is why Jairus fell at the feet of Jesus.

Most leaders of most Judean synagogues were rejecting Jesus. This wise teacher and powerful miracle worker was capturing the hearts of the crowds and diluting their power and influence. But desperate times called for desperate measures. And Jairus, in spite of his pride, fell at the feet of the miracle worker.

Unfortunately, there was a problem with Jairus' plan. He wasn't the only one crowding in on Jesus, touching his cloak, and falling at his feet.

In the midst of Jairus' "hurry-hurry-come-this-way-hurry" Jesus stopped to spend way too much time with a woman who had a long-term issue. Jairus surely thought her ongoing inconvenience could wait. "Priorities, Jesus!" he probably shouted. Tragically, while Jesus' was tending to this long-term concern, Jairus' urgent problem literally passed away.

What we need to remember is that God has a different perspective on time than we do. We live according to the tyranny of the urgent. But God will sometimes pause and wait, if he sees an opportunity to nurture a longer-term (read, "eternal") faith.

For example, when Jesus' friend Lazarus was dying (see John 11), our Lord tarried too long -- intentionally -- and Lazarus died. Everyone was heartbroken, but our Lord stepped into the midst of their valley and raised both Lazarus and their faith (forever).

I think, maybe, Jesus was doing the same thing with Jairus. Of course, he wanted to help a suffering woman along the way. That's always his heart. But he was also taking a (probably cynical) leader of a synagogue on a powerful journey of faith. I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus tarried too long -- intentionally -- until the little girl died. If so, I believe Jesus wanted to absolutely sink her family into the valley of the shadow of death so that he could raise both the little girl and their faith (forever).

We are, indeed, prisoners to the tyranny of the urgent. But do you believe that God absolutely has your long-term interests at heart? And are you willing to be patient and trust him in the valleys?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's hiked many valleys

and has inevitably found a beautiful little stream

in those dark and quiet vales